Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court sitting Abuja has declared as illegal, the passage of an N800 billion budget by five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Edison Ehie.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, January 22, the judge declared that the presentation of the appropriation bill by the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on December 13, 2023, and its passage by the lawmakers amounted to nullity sequel to a November 30, 2023 interim order made by the court.
While granting an order of injunction restraining Fubara and other defendants from interfering with the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly, Justice Omotosho held that the passage of the bill into law was a willful breach of the court order.
The judge also stopped the governor or any members of the state executive arm from appointing or reposting any person as a clerk or deputy clerk of the Assembly in contravention of the laws governing the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission.
He further made an order restraining the National Assembly from taking over the state’s assembly.
